Payload CMS
Craft CMS
Payload CMS vs Craft CMS: which is right for your project? Payload CMS is typescript-first headless cms that lives in your next.js app. Craft CMS is developer-focused php cms with elegant content modeling. We compare features, performance, and pricing.
Start MigrationPayload CMS wins overall, but Craft CMS is better for agencies building bespoke sites with complex content requirements. Choose Payload CMS for Next.js developers wanting a CMS that lives in their codebase with zero API overhead. Choose Craft CMS for Agencies building bespoke sites with complex content requirements.
Official docs: Payload CMS Documentation
| Feature | Payload CMS | Craft CMS |
|---|---|---|
Ease of Use | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Performance | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Flexibility | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Cost Value | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ |
Scalability | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Ecosystem | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ |
| Detail | Payload CMS | Craft CMS |
|---|---|---|
Language / Stack | TypeScript / Node.js | PHP (Yii framework) |
Type | headless cms | traditional cms |
Pricing | Free (self-hosted) / Cloud plans available | Free solo / $35+/mo for teams |
Open Source | Yes | No |
Best For | Next.js developers wanting a CMS that lives in their codebase with zero API overhead | Agencies building bespoke sites with complex content requirements |
Export Method | REST API, GraphQL, or direct database access | Element API or GraphQL endpoint |
The right choice between Payload CMS and Craft CMS depends on three things: your team's technical skills, your project timeline, and your long-term content strategy.
These platforms take fundamentally different approaches. Payload CMS is a headless cms built with TypeScript / Node.js, while Craft CMS is a traditional cms built with PHP (Yii framework). That architectural difference shapes everything from daily content editing workflows to deployment and hosting costs. If your team includes non-developers who need to publish content frequently, Craft CMS's familiar editing interface may save you onboarding time.
From a cost perspective, Payload CMS is open-source (Free (self-hosted) / Cloud plans available), while Craft CMS (Free solo / $35+/mo for teams) carries ongoing license costs. Factor in plugin or extension costs, developer rates for each tech stack, and whether you need managed hosting or can self-host.
Whichever you choose, migrating between them is straightforward. LeaveWP supports migration between 60+ platforms, so you're never locked in regardless of which you pick today.
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